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🚂 All Aboard The Blessed Express
The Fight Team
April 14, 2023
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Fight With Teddy Atlas Newsletter, your one stop shop for all things combat sports related, brought to you by Teddy and The Fight team.
Every Friday We Bring You:
A combat sports news digest with all the headlines you need to know from Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
Highlights from the podcast and across the fight world.
Fight times and information you need to know ahead of time.
How to’s and tips for Boxing from Teddy himself.
Fight News From Around The 🌍
Return Of The Juggernaut
"The Juggernaut" Joe Joyce will defend his WBO interim heavyweight title against Zhilei Zhang this weekend as he looks to keep the pressure on the current full title holders with another destructive win. Meanwhile, Zhang, who has a higher number of knockouts to his name, will aim to prove himself against one of the most notoriously tough heavyweights in recent years, all whilst being on the cusp of 40.
It's a tall task to say the least, as Joe Joyce's relentless pressure, iron chin and heavy hands have all combined to make him arguably the best heavyweight in the world not named Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk. He's not getting any younger, having come into the sport relatively late, and is desperate to keep his spot as the #1 contender.
Both fighters have a lot on the line in this bout, with the winner potentially setting themselves up for a shot at one of the world titles, or even potentially a vacant one if the ongoing issues between the Usyk and Fury camps continue.
Joyce will be looking to one up his recent career best win over former champ Joseph Parker, as he became the only man to stop him in his pro career so far. Expect some heavyweight fireworks this weekend across the pond, as it looks unlikely that this one will go the distance.
What to look for in the fight:
Age. Zhang is 39 years of age and is coming off a very taxing fight with Filip Hrgovic (which many thought he won). Coming up against a tough pressure fighter like Joe Joyce will test him, and his best bet could be to empty the tank early. Look for him to test Joyce's chin within the first 5 rounds to see if the Juggernaut really is as tough as they say.
Jab. Joyce's jab is his most underrated weapon. It looks ponderous and slow, but it's stiff, consistent and has undone all of his pro opponents so far. If this fight goes the distance, unlikely as it is, the jab will be key to keeping an experienced and hard hitting amateur like Zhang at bay.
Blessed Is Back
Max "Blessed" Holloway, former UFC featherweight champion and future Hall of Famer, looks to regain his position at the top of the division against the fast rising Brit Arnold Allen, who on the other hand has his eyes locked in on what would be his biggest scalp yet.
Holloway has had an up and down last few years, with the downs all involving a fellow modern great in Alexander Volkanovski. The ups have been a series of impressive performances against top contender Calvin Kattar and current interim champion Yair Rodriguez.
Despite these, Max will feel that he still belongs at the top of the division, and any further loss could be the beginning of a slide down the rankings, or even a return up at lightweight.
Allen will see this as his big opportunity. If joins the elite club of fighters who have beaten Max Holloway, it'll stake his claim as the definitive #1 contender outside of the interim champion. There's no bigger name in the division than Holloway, and a win over him will make his stock go through the roof.
Blessed won't be in the mood to do any favours to up and comers. He's only 31 and already a 30 fight MMA veteran, so there's nothing he hasn't seen in the octagon before. Let's find out in Arnold Allen has what it takes.
What to look for in the fight:
Straight left. Arnold Allen has an extremely quick and powerful straight left out of the southpaw stance. Max's offence is exceptional but he's there to be hit, so look for Allen to land that shot consistently and avoid anything coming back from Holloway.
Switch. Holloway is a notorious switch hitter and is constantly making his opponents second guess his offence. Allen will need to be mindful of his or he risks getting overwhelmed by Max's volume early on, as he's struggled in the past when he's had to be on the back foot.
Pace. Max Holloway has one of the best gas tanks in the history of the UFC. He will push Arnold Allen, who has never been past 3 rounds before, like he's never been pushed before. Look for some vintage Holloway work in the last 2 rounds if Allen has started to tire.
Fight ⏰ for this weekend
Boxing: Joyce vs Zhang (Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th)
🇺🇸 Full Card: 2pm Eastern/ 11am Pacific | Main Event: 5pm Eastern/ 2pm Pacific
🇬🇧 Full Card: 7pm | Main Event: 10pm
🇦🇺 Full Card: 4am Eastern/ 2am Western | Main event: 6am Eastern/ 4am Western
MMA: Holloway vs Allen (Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th)
🇺🇸 Full Card: 9pm Eastern/ 6pm Pacific | Main Event: 11pm Eastern/ 8pm Pacific
🇬🇧 Full Card: 2am | Main Event: 4am
🇦🇺 Full Card: 11am Eastern/ 9am Western | Main event: 1pm Eastern/ 11am Western